Automatic control valve for condenser coolant



May 8, 1951 A. B. NEWTON 2,551,758

AUTOMATIC CONTROL VALVE FOR CONDENSER COOLANT Filed Feb. 12, 1947 Flu/i1: Neva/fan Patented May 8, 1951 AUTOMATIC CONTROL VALVE FOR CONDENSER COOLANT Alwin B. Newton, Dayton,

Ohio, assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a

corporation of Delaware Application February 12, 1947, Serial No. 727,963

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for controlling the admission of cooling liquid to the condenser of a refrigerating system.

The invention to be described herein may be used in conjunction with a system employing a circulating liquid to cool the condenser or in con junction with a system combining air circulation with moisture evaporation as the cooling mediums.

In either of the above systems it is desirable to meter the supply of liquid which will herein-- after he referred to as water, to the condenser. As the heat absorption of the system becomes greater, the temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser and the requirement for cooling water increase. Since the refrigerant temperature is reflected in the refrigerant pressure, a pressure responsive apparatus is provided to control the admission of cooling water to the condenser. I have found that to assure the circulation of the optimum quantity of water the apparatus should. in addition, be responsive to the pressure of the cooling water which is furnished by the apparatus to the condenser. The higher the water pressure the greater should be the restriction to its flow provided by the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of preventing the water from flowing at a rate above a predetermined desirable maximum rate regardless of the pressure of the refrigerant or the water pressure.

It is also an object of the invention to provide apparatus adapted to automatically initiate the flow of cooling water when the refrigerant pressure becomes sufficiently great.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to regulate the quantity of water admitted to the refrigerating condenser in response to changes in the temperature of the water.

A manual means for adjusting the apparatus to vary the maximum rate of water flow referred to above is provided.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates one form of the control apparatus showing its use in conjunction with a refrigerating system employing a water-cooled condenser; and

Fig. 2 illustrates a slightly modified form of control apparatus showing its use in conjunction with a refrigerating system employing a condenser cooled by air and the evaporation of moisture.

In Fig. 1 a refrigerating system employing a water-cooledcondenser is illustrated. The system includes a compressor Ii), a condenser I2 and I bottom of the valve.

an evaporator I4. A header i6 is connected to the compressor by a tube 18 and to the inlet portion of the condenser by a tube 20. A liquid receiver 22 is connected to the outlet portion of the condenser i2. A tube 24 operatively connects a liquid receiver 22 and the evaporator M. A tube 26 connects the evaporator Hi with the compressor H]. The refrigerant is thus compressed in the compressor Ill and passes through the tubes 18 and 20 to the condenser l2 where it is liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant passes through liquid receiver 22 and tube 24 into the evaporator M from which it is returned to the compressor by the tube 26in the usual manner. An expansion valve 28 is interposed in the tube 24 upstream from the evaporator. The expansion valve 28 is controlled by a heat bulb 32 on the suction line 26 leading to the compressor [0. The system thus far described is intended to be a conventional refrigerating system and has been diagrammatically illustrated. The invention relates particularly to the means by which the condenser I2 is cooled.

The condenser 12 as illustrated in Fig. 1 is cooled by the passage of water through the coil 34 positioned within the condenser l2. The outlet 36 of the coil 34 may be connected by any suitable means, not shown, to a drain to dispose of the water. The inlet tube 38 of the coil 34 is connected to a valve generally designated by the numeral 4|].

The valve 48 is provided with an inlet 42 connected to a suitable source of water supply. The valve is provided with a housing 4 3 of generally cylindrical shape having a valve seat 46 positioned in the housing 44 in operative relation to inlet 412. The inlet 42 is preferably located on the The tube 38 which comprises the water outlet from the valve is preferably positioned about midway up the side of the cylinder. The opening 43 in the housing 44 for the inlet of water is preferably of greater diameter than the opening 39 in the housing for the outlet of water. Water pressure is thus built up within housing i i when there is insufiicient restriction of opening 43 by mechanism to be described. The upper portion of the housing 44 is connected by a tube 48 to the header It. This serves as an inlet for refrigerant. A valve stem 50 having a valve head 52 is adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 6 to restrict the flow of water through the inlet opening 43. The housing 44 is provided with internal threads adapted to support a threaded annular flange member 54 in the lower portion of the housing. The flanged member 54 serves as a seat for one end of a vertically positioned coil spring 56. The upper end of the spring 56 supports a disc 58. The disc 58 is substantially flat with the exception of an upwardly extending portion 63. A diaphragm B2 is 13051- tioned normal to the axis of the housing and in the upper portion thereof in abutting relationship with the top of the portion 60 of diaphragm G2. Refrigerant entering the valve housing by means of the tube 48 imparts a downwardly directed force on the diaphragm 62 as an incident to the pressure existing in the refrigerating system between the compressor l9 and condenser l2. It will thus be seen that movement of the diaphragm 62 is imparted to the spring 58 causing a contraction thereof. The diaphragm 82 may be suitably secured to the walls of the housing 24 so that the refrigerant cannot leak by the diaphragm. H

A flexible metallic bellows G4 is concentrically positioned within the housing 44 and has its upper portion secured to the disc 58. The lower portion of the bellows is secured to asecond'disc 6B. The valve stem 59 previously referred to is secured to the disc 66. A coil spring 68 is positioned between the discs 58 and 66 and resists any tendency for the bellows 64 to be compressed. Suitable cooperating cup elements 10 and 12 are provided for operation in conjunction with the spring 68. Cup element "10 is secured to the disc 66. Cup element 12 is secured to the disc 58. The cups are provided with cooperating lip portions 74 which freely permit the cups to be telescoped together but resist any tendency for the bellows 64 to expandbeyond a predetermined limit established by the lips 14.

In the lower portion of the device the valve head 52 is normally seated upon the valve seat 46 by the spring 56 thus interrupting the flow of water to the condenser. When the refrigerating system is operated and the pressure of the refrigerant in tube 48 exceeds a predetermined value, the diaphragm BZ is forced downwardly and the valve head 52 moved away from the valve seat 46. Water is thus permitted toeiiter the housing 44 from the inlet 42 and to enter the condenser [2 through the connecting tube 38. It should be noted that the amount of water admitted is dependent upon the amount of deflection of the diaphragm 62. Thus the apparatus is adapted to determine that the flow of water shall begin when a sumcient refrigerant pressure is obtained. During operation when the temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser increases it is accompanied by an increase of pressure. The increased pressure operates through the valve 40 to increase the supply of water to the condenser (2 to combat the high temperature.

The valve 40 is in addition responsive to water pressure and although the valve operates as described above to increase the flow of water as the pressure of the refrigerant increases, the valve itself establishes limits to this action. It is preferable that a predetermined maximum flow of water be established. This will be referred to hereinafter as the optimum rate. When the diaphragm 62 has been deflected to open the valve 52 and water is admitted to the valve housing, the pressure of the water in the inlet 43 as reduced by the escape of water through the outlet 39 reacts upon the discs 58 and 6E tending to compress the bellows 64. This tendency is resisted by the spring 68. The pressure behind the water attempting to enter the outlet tube 38 effects its velocity and therefore its rate of flow and cooling effect upon the condenser l2. Thus as the pressure builds up Within the housing 44 the need for additional water to enter through inlet 43 is reduced and the compression of the bellows 64 accordingly closes the valve 52. There is thus established an optimum rate of flow of water in tube 38 which will never be exceeded regardless of the pressure of the refrigerant in tube 48. If the refrigerant pressure becomes excessive and opens the valve 52 the great amount of water attempting to enter the housing compared to what may leave through restricted opening 39 builds up a water pressure which tends to close the valve.

The bellows 64 can be evacuated and the col lapsing pressure determined entirely by the spring 64. However, in the preferred construction the bellows may be filled with a volatile material such as one of the Freons which is responsive to the temperature of the water passing through the housing. A typical one of the Freons which would be suitable is Freon-12, the chemical formula of which is CCl2lFz. When the water temperature goes up the gas expands and increases the resistance to a collapsing of the bellows 64. Thus when warm Water is provided, a great quantity of water should pass through the condenser in a unit time to effect a cooling thereof and the expansion of the gas in the bellows automatically makes this adjustment. The lips 14, previously described, limit the extension of the bellows in response to expansion of the gas.

A means is provided by which the valve may be manually adjusted to vary the optimum rate to suit individual conditions. The flanged member 54 is provided with internal radial teeth 16. An elongated pinion T8 is adapted to mesh with the teeth 16. Rotation of the pinion drives the flanged member 54 causing it to rotate and be lifted by reason of its threaded engagement with the housing 44. A shaft is connected to the pinion l8 and is rotatably mounted in the housing 44. The shaft may be provided with a squared end adapted to receive a wrench or other tool for rotation thereof. Suitable packing 82 retained in a collar 83 by a packing gland '34 may be provided to prevent the leakage of water out of the housing around the shaft. A cap 85 may be removably secured over the collarBS to cover the end of the shaft 80 when not in use.

In Fig. 2 the novel valve is illustrated as being used in conjunction with a different type of refrigerating system. The same valve is interchangeable with either system. The system in Fig. 2 comprises a compressor Hi), a condenser H2 and an evaporator H4. The system is the same as that described with reference to Fig. 1 except that a different type of condenser has been substituted. The condenser-l i2 is cooled by air and the evaporation of moisture. A blower H6 is positioned with its axis perpendicular to the condenser ll2 and is adapted to blow air therethrough. The blower is preferably an electric fan supplied with current from power lines H8 and I20. Power line 20 is illustrated as having a pressure switch I22 therein. The switch I22 is controlled by a diaphragm motor of any usual type (not shown) subjected to the refrigerant pressure on the inlet side of the condenser by means of a tube I24 communicating with the refrigerating system. The condenser blower will thus operate whenever the pressure games of the refrigerant in the condenser rises above a predetermined value indicating that the need for condensing action exists. The cooling action of air is supplemented by the evaporation of moisture from the surfaces of the condenser coil. The means for creating a spray of water which contacts the condenser and is evaporated therefrom comprises a cup-shaped hub I25 secured to the blower. The open side of the cup faces the condenser. A tube I38 is connected to the outlet side of the novel valve previously described and supplies water to the interior of the cup. The water projected into the cup is thrown from the lip and is sprayed over the condenser by the action of the blower. Other types of spraying means may be substituted if desired. The evaporation of the water from the coils of the condenser increases the cooling of the condenser.

The valve 40 described with reference to Fig. 1 may be used in this system if desired and would regulate the supply of water to the blower. In Fig. 2, however, a modified form of valve has been illustrated. The modified form is substantially the same as that described with reference to Fig. 1 with the exception that a different manual adjustment is provided. A gear I44 is rotatably mounted on the base of the housing idil and is positioned by a collar I43 secured to the base of housing I40 coaxially with the valve stem 55. A threaded collar I45 is secured to the gear I44. A threaded flanged member I48 is positioned in threaded engagement with the collar I46. The flanged member I48 supports a spring 55' which is similar to the spring 56 of Fig. l. The flanged member I48 is preferably provided with an opening I49. A pin II is secured to the housing and extends vertically through the opening I49 to prevent rotation of the member I58 relative to the housing.

A shaft I55 penetrates the side wall of the valve hOllSing I48 and has a gear I52 secured to the end thereof in operative engagement with the gear I44. A packing member I54 is secured to the exterior wall of the housing and is penetrated by the shaft I50. Suitable packing I56 in combination with a packing gland I51 seals the shaft in the member I54. The shaft I50 may be provided with a squared end I58 adapted to cooperate with a wrench or other tool for rotation of the shaft I50. Rotation of the shaft 555 and gear I52 rotates the gear I44 and collar I46, thereby causing relative aXial movement between the collar I46 and flanged member I48. This changes the eifective length of the spring 55. The usual cap I60 may be removably secured to the packing member I54 when the adjusting mechanism is not in use.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerating system of the compressor-condenser-expander type, a valve for controlling fiow of a condenser cooling liquid, said valve comprising a housing having inlet and outlet openings therein and an element movable relative to said housing to close said inlet opening, a spring biased to move said element to closing position, a device subjected to refrigerant pressure and adapted to compress said spring to open said valve to an extent varying in direct relation to the refrigerant pressure in the condenser and a collapsible bellows interposed between s'aid element and said device, subjected to the pressure of the cooling liquid and tending to move said element to vary the opening of said valve inversely with respect to the cooling liquid pressure in said housing, a first means associated 6' with said bellows and adapted to yieldably oppose the collapsing of said bellows and a second means associated with said bellows and adapted to establish a limit for the extension of said bellows.

2. In a refrigerating system having a condenser for a refrigerant, means including a valve for regulating a supply of cooling liquid to said condenser, said valve comprising a housing and a movable element, said housing having a liquid inlet opening and an outlet opening connected to a source of liquid and said condenser respectively, said housing having a valve seat associated therewith between said inlet opening and said outlet opening, said element being mounted in said housing for movement relative to said valve seat to regulate the flow of cooling liquid past said valve seat and through said housing, a spring biased to move said element on to said valve seat, a first device in said housing which is responsive to the pressure of refrigerant in said system and adapted to move said element away from said valve seat and toward its open position in response to increase in pressure of said refrigerant and a second device interposed between said valve seat and said outlet opening, subjected to the outlet pressure of the cooling liquid in said housing and tending to move said element on to said valve seat toward its closed position as the pressure of the cooling liquid in said housing downstream of said valve seat increases, a first means associated with said second device and operable to yieldably oppose the movement of said element toward its closed position on said valve seat under the influence of said second device and a second means associated with said second device and adapted to limit the'movement of said second device in a direction tending to move said element off said valve seat toward its open position.

3. In a refrigerating system having a condenser for a refrigerant, means including a valve for regulating a supply of cooling liquid to said condenser, said valve comprising a housing and a movable element, said housing having a liquid inlet opening and an outlet opening connected to a source of liquid and said condenser respectively, said housing having a valve seat associated therewith between said inlet opening and said outlet opening, said element being mounted in said housing for movement relative to said valve seat to open and close said valve, a spring biased to move said element to its closed position, a first device in said housing which is responsive to the pressure of refrigerant to said system and adapted to move said element toward its open position in response to increase in pressure of said refrigerant and a second device interposed between said valve seat and said outlet opening, subjected to the pressure of the cooling liquid in said housing downstream of said valve seat and tending to move said element toward its closed position as the pressure of the cooling liquid in said housing increases, a first means responsive to the temperature of the cooling liquid and adapted to move said element in a first direction toward its open position in response to an increase in the temperature of said cooling liquid and a second means associated with said first means and adapted to limit said first means in its movement of said element-in said first direction.

4. A control apparatus for regulating a supply of coolant to the condenser of a refrigerating system comprising a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for coolant, a valve movable between open and closed limits and operable to regulate the flow of coolant through said inlet opening, first means mounted for movement and adapted to be connected to a source of refrigerant in said system for movement in response to variations in the pressure of refrigerant in the system, a spring mounted to urgesaid valve toward its open limit, said spring operatively connecting said first means and said valve to move said valve in response to movement of said first means and means exposed to the pressure of the coolant and operatively connected to the spring to facilitate distortion of said spring in response to increase in the pressure of coolant in said housing downstream of said valve to thereby move said valve toward its closed limit in response to increase in coolant pressure.

5. A control apparatus for regulating a supply of coolant to the condenser of a refrigerating 'SyS- I tern comprising a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for coolant, a valve movable between open and closed limits and operable to regulate the flow of coolant through said inlet opening, a movable element defining a T compartment within said housing, said housing having an opening from said compartment adapted to be connected to a source of refrigerant in said system in order that said element may .be moved in response to variations in the pressure of refrigerant in said compartment, a first spring carried within said housing and engaging said element to yieldingly oppose movement of .said element in response to increase in the pressure of refrigerant in said compartment, a second spring having one end operatively connected to said element and the other end operatively connected to said valve to provide a yieldable force transmitting connection between said element and said valve, said first spring urging said valve toward its closed limit and said second spring urging said valve toward its open limit, and a bellows exposed to the pressure of coolant in said housing and connected to said second spring to facilitate distortion of said second spring in a direction tending to close said valve in response to increase in the pressure of coolant in said housing downstream of said valve to thereby move .said valve toward its closed limit in response to increase in coolant pressure.

ALWIN B. NEWTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the -file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,638,053 Muller Aug. 9, 1927 1,925,281 Replogle Sept. 5, 1933 2,011,220 Henning, Aug. 13, 1935 2,096,112 Kaufman Oct. 19, 1937 2,228,767 Johnsson Jan. 14, 1941 2,297,231 ,Lichte Sept. 29, 1942 

